Heating system

ABSTRACT

A heating system operating by means of vapor employs a boiler normally containing water with a head space thereabove and further employing an arrangement of radiators. Conduit means communicates with the head space and conducts heated vapor to the radiators. Other means heats the boiler to produce heated vapor for supply to the radiators in response to suitable control means. Additional means continuously or intermittently moves air from the atmosphere through the head space and radiator arrangement, the moved air entraining heated vapor in the boiler head space. Further thermostatically controlled valve means releases the moved air from at least one of said radiators as long as the temperature in the surrounding space is below the temperature setting of the thermostatic control. The vapor entrained by the moved air condenses in the radiator whereas the air is released, releasing heat to warm the radiator and heat the surrounding space.

United States Patent Bailey et al. Dec. 23, 1975 HEATING SYSTEM Primary Etaminer-William E. Wayner Assistant Examiner-William E. Tapolcai, Jr. [76] Inventors: Edwin M. Bailey, 194 W.

Ridgewood Ave., Ridgewood, NJ. 07450; David Y. Bailey, 381 Western Ave., Cambridge, Mass.

[5 7] ABSTRACT A heating system operating by means of vapor employs a boiler normally containing water with a head 02139 space thereabove and further employing an arrangement ofradiators. Conduit means communicates with [22] Flled' 1973 the head space and conducts heated vapor to the radiators. Other means heats the boiler to produce heated PP 337,960 vapor for supply to the radiators in response to suit- V able control means. Additional means continuously or intermittently moves air from the atmosphere through 3L 237/9Fl l2h the head space and radiator arrangement the moved [58] Fie'ld s 2 8 67 68 air entraining heated vapor in the boiler head space. 237 Further thermostatically controlled valve means re- I l 6/42 39 leases the moved air from at least one of said radiators as long as the temperature in the surrounding space is 5 References Cited prellonntihe temperazure sejttgngflof the tggrmostartis con- 0. e vapor en rame y e mov alr co enses UNITED STATES PATENTS in the radiator whereas the air is released, releasing 2,868,461 H1959 Gaddis 237/9 heat to warm the radiator and heat the surrounding 3,115,303 12/1963 Bailey et al. 237/10 space 3,438,574 4/l969 Killias 236/42 I 3572.588 3/ I97! Hamilton, Jr. 237/9 6 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures 2 236-9 5:: /b2{ 1 I I J 221 Il3 M III-- U.S. Patent Dec. 23, 1975 Sheet 2 of2 3,927,831

j I 114-1 114-2 114-3 13s FIG 2 HEATING SYSTEM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION U.S. Pat. No. 3 ,l 15,303 discloses a heating system wherein heat energy normally dissipated between heatirig cycles in a low pressure steam system of the type used for heating homes and small buildings is used to increase the efficiency and comfort afforded by such low pressure steam systems.

Conventional steam heating systems are characterizedby remote hard to heat areas as well as an intermit' tent heating operation which causes large fluctuations in room temperatures. The patented invention enables adequate heat to be supplied to such remote areas as well as providing smaller fluctuations in room temperatures.

Nevertheless, there is still a need, even when the patented system is used, for a more uniform heating technique in which fluctuations in room temperatures are further reduced. The present invention enables suchfluctuations to be further substantially reduced to a point at which these fluctuations can be neglected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the principles of the present in-. vention, a boiler contains water with a head space thereabove. Means responsive to suitable control means causes the boiler to be heated to produce heated vapor. Conduit means communicating with the head space conducts the vapor to an arrangement of radiators. Means continuously or intermittently moves air from the atmosphere through the head space and the arrangement. The moved air entrains heated vapor from the boiler water. The term head space as used herein refers not only to the actual space but also to any equivalent structure wherein moving air can entrain heated vapor. Thermostatically controlled valve means release the moved air from at least one and preferably more of said radiators as long as the temperature in the surrounding space is below the temperature setting of, the thermostatic control. The vapor entrained by the moved air condenses in the radiator whereas the air is released, releasing heat to warm the radiator and heat the surrounding space.

Typically the thermostatically controlled means is a vent valve controlled by a room temperature thermostat. The room temperature fluctuations can be maintained within very small ranges such as plus or minus I degree F.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. 1 a room thermostating valve which can be used on the systems shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is shown in detail.

The valve consists of pipe nipples l and 5, pipe bushings 2, 4, 21 and 22, pipe tee 3, clamp 6, frame 7, frame brace 8, lever 9, pneumatic sylphon bellows I0, adjustment spring 11, screw 12, threaded nuts 13, 16 and 17, washer 14, solder 15, short screw 18 with flat buttonshaped head 19, plunger 20 (which has been removed from normal position in the valve to show its form) stem 38, ball 24, stem button 25, return spring 26, filling tube 27, thrust stud 28, socket 29, mounting stud 30, nut 31, washer 32, spacing washer 33, lever pivot 34, mating pipe threads 35 and 36, and valve seat 37. This seat is formed by machining the end of bushing 2 to fit ball 24. Since seat 37 is hidden within pipe tee 3, it is drawn as a phantom view showing a part of bushing 2.

In operation the plunger 20 is screwed into the pipe tee 3 by means of mating threads 35 and 36 so that button 19 rests against button 25. Button 19 is held in position by the opposing action of relatively strong tension adjusting spring 11 and relatively weak compression return spring 26 as well as by the forces in the sylphon bellows 10. In this condition ball 24 will be operably positioned near or touching seat 37. Pipe nipple l is threaded into matingthreads in the air vent hole of a steam radiator.

Air will flow from the hole in the radiator through nipple 1, bushing 2, seat 37, pipe tee 3, and out through bushing 4 and pipe nipple 5, and thence discharged to the atmosphere. The amount of flow will depend upon the pressure within the radiator and the size of the annular orifice between seat 37 and ball 24. The orifice size depends upon the position of plunger 20, which is free to slide longitudinally within bushings 21 and 22 toward or away from seat 37. Bushing 21 is provided with a bore of such size as to provide a sliding fit for stem 38, thus guiding plunger 20 to meet properly ball 24 and seat 37, in response to the push of button 19.

Button 19 is the end of screw 18, screwed tightly by nut 17 to lever 9, which pivots in the frame 7 at point 34. Bellows 10 is mounted by stud 30 and nut 31 and washer 32 and spacer washer 33 to frame 7. Bellows 10 is filled with air and a few drops of either at atmospherie pressure and then tube 27 is sealed tightly to prevent leakage. The force of thrust stud 28 against socket 29, which is hollow to receive the convex end of stud 28, is maintained by the pressure of the air and other vapor withinbellows 10 and varies in accordance with the temperature of the bellows contents.

Socket 29 is soldered to lever 9, through which the force of thrust stud 28 is transmitted by lever action to button 19., thence to button 25, stem 38, ball 24, and thence against seat 37 in times when bellows expand sufficiently against the biasing action of adjustment spring 1]. Nut 16 is held tightly within the end of adjustment spring 11 on the opposite end of said spring from nut 17. Adjustment screw 12 screws adjustably through nut 16 andadjustment nut 13, which is held by the tension of spring 11 against washer I4, which is soldered by solder 15 to frame 7.

Thus the bellows 10 acts through lever 9 and the plunger 20 to force the ball 24 toward seat 37, but it is opposed in this by the force of spring 26, and adjustment spring 11. The distance between the two nuts I3 and 16 upon adjustment screw 12 may be varied until the valve lets a sufficient flow of air and steam into the radiator by the proper amount of venting at the valve to maintain the temperature of the room constant at the chosen set-point. An adjustment dial can be provided and calibrated in terms of degrees of room temperature. The valve is protected by a housing of expanded metal, which allows room air to circulate to the bellows which is the thermal detector. The valve is designed not to pass undesirable quantities of steam.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the valve of FIG. 1 is identified by numeral 117 and can be placed at appropriate points on the steam pipes and radiator of FIGS. 2 and 3 but as example for the purposes of illustration. the valve has been drawn located at the vent end of radiator 116. The valve can be combined with shut-off or other conventional valves.

In FIG. 2, a boiler 110 is shown partially filled with water 111 which is heated from a heat source 109 controlled by thermostat 108, the upper level of water is represented by 112 and the head space in the boiler by the numeral 113. A pipe or main 114, which opens into the head space, leads from the boiler to the radiator inlet valve 115 and then to the radiator 116. Other radiators are indicated as attached to the pipe 114 by the symbols 114-1, 114-2 and 114-3. This pipe serves as a conduit for conducting heated vapor to the radiator (and in some systems for returning water resulting from condensation of the vapor.) The pipe also serves as a conduit for transporting air. The heat source 109 is any conventional type which heats the boiler water to provide heated vapor for the radiator. A hollow tube 118 is in operative communication with the valve and with a centrifugal blower 119 so that there is a complete open system from the head space 113 for circulation of air through pipe 114, inlet valve 115, radiator 116, outlet port 417 or radiator 116, tube 118, centrifugal blower 119 and then to the area to be heated. Air which is pumped through the system during operation of the centrifugal blower is vented to the atmosphere through outlet 120 as shown.

Blower 119 is connected through shaft 135 to electric motor 121 with suitable wires 122 for connection to a power source which is conventional and not shown.

During the heating season, the head space contains a mixture of air and vapor. The temperature of the vapor varies, depending upon the amount of heat supplied to the boiler, so that the vapor can but need not be in the form of steam. As air is circulated from the atmosphere through inlet valve 137 and through the head space, the air entrains heated vapor. The air and vapor is circulated through the system as a mixture continously or intermittently.

The thermostatting valve or valves can be located at inlet or outlet opening of the radiators or at other locations. When the temperature control in the space surrounding any radiator is set to a temperature above that in the surrounding space, the appropriate valve will be open and circulated air will be discharged therethrough to the atmosphere. The entrained vapor in the radiator of interest condenses, delivering heat via the radiator to the surrounding space.

The action of the thermostatting valves provides the desired fine temperature control.

In FIG. 3 air is circulated through the system by a pump or other known means attached to the boiler and communicating with the air space.

The action of the thermostatting valves provides the desired fine temperature control as before.

The heat source 109 controlled by thennostat 108 heats water 111 in boiler 110. The boiler is filled with water to level 112 leaving a head space 113. A pipe or main 114 communicates with the head space of the boiler and is shown communicating with a radiator 116 through inlet valve 115. Other radiators may also communicate with the pipe as shown in 114-1, 114-2 and 114-3.

A pump 134 communicates with the head space 113. This pump operates to draw air from the atmosphere and to circulate through the head space 113, wherein heated vapor is entrained. The mixture of air and vapor is then circulated through the conduit 114, the inlet valve 115, the radiator 116 and finally to the atmosphere in the area to be heated. The pump is shown connected through shaft 138 to motor 200 which is connected to a power source for operating the motor through wires 22. A fan 123 is in operative connection with an electric motor 221 through shaft 124 shown. The fan circulates room air over the radiator for more efficient heating. Wires 222 are shown for connection to a power source. As before thermostatting valve 117 can be located at outlet port 417 of radiator 116, but other appropriate locations on the steam pipes or radiators can be used.

In FIG. 2, air is circulated to selected radiators by means of a plurality of blowers. In FIG. 3, air is circulated through the whole system using one blower.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that other modifications and alternative constructions may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A vapor heating system comprising:

a boiler normally containing water with a head space thereabove;

first means coupled to said boiler to heat the water therein in response to control means, thus producing heated vapor;

an arrangement of radiators interconnected by piping;

second conduit means communicating with the head space and connected to the arrangement for conducting the vapor thereto;

third means coupled through the arrangement to the head space for continuously or intermittently moving air from the atmosphere through all or part of said arrangement, the air entraining heated vapor as it passes through the space; and

fourth thermostatically controlled valve means coupled to at least one of the radiators for releasing said moved air therefrom as long as the temperature in the vicinity of the radiator is below the temperature setting of the thermostatic control, the entrained vapor carried by the air condensing in the radiator to release heat to the vicinity via the radiator itself.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said fourth means are employed, the setting of the thermostatic control of each of the fourth means being adjustable independently of all of the other fourth means.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein each fourth means includes a valve with an associated thermostatic control.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein each valve is disposed in the path of the moved air.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein a fourth means is located in the second conduit means.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein a fourth means is located on a radiator. 

1. A vapor heating system comprising: a boiler normally containing water with a head space thereabove; first means coupled to said boiler to heat the water therein in response to control means, thus producing heated vapor; an arrangement of radiators interconnected by piping; second conduit means communicating with the head space and connected to the arrangement for conducting the vapor thereto; third means coupled through the arrangement to the head space for continuously or intermittently moving air from the atmosphere through all or part of said arrangement, the air entraining heated vapor as it passes through the space; and fourth thermostatically controlled valve means coupled to at least one of the radiators for releasing said moved air therefrom as long as the temperature in the vicinity of the radiator is below the temperature setting of the thermostatic control, the entrained vapor carried by the air condensing in the radiator to release heat to the vicinity via the radiator itself.
 2. The system of claim 1 wherein a plurality of said fourth means are employed, the setting of the thermostatic control of each of the fourth means being adjustable independently of all of the other fourth means.
 3. The system of claim 2 wherein each fourth means includes a valve with an associated thermostatic control.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein each valve is disposed in the path of the moved air.
 5. The system of claim 4 wherein a fourth means is located in the second conduit means.
 6. The system of claim 4 wherein a fourth means is located on a radiator. 